Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The United States has a longstanding tradition of welcoming individuals from around the world who are seeking protection and refuge. But recent U.S. policy has grown increasingly hostile toward asylum seekers and refugees. Instead of turning vulnerable individuals away, the United States should maintain its global reputation as a leader in refugee resettlement and humanitarian protection. Doing so not only upholds American values but sustains and strengthens our communities. Data from the Council shows that refugees and asylees make tremendous contributions to our economy as earners, taxpayers, and consumers. Learn more about the contributions and challenges of asylum seekers and refugees below.
Three-Year-Old Immigrant Child Released After Two Years of Detention
An immigration judge ordered the immediate release of a three-year-old immigrant child and his mother from a detention center in rural Pennsylvania on Monday, stating that it was one of the most sympathetic cases for release he had encountered in his career. The child’s release marks what will hopefully be… Read More
Lebanese Family Creates American Entrepreneurs
Lebanese-American entrepreneur Richard Kabbany was a business major at California State University, Fullerton when he came up with the concept for his first business. “At the time, there was a huge push for green, renewable energy, and I thought, Well, if there’s a push for it and it makes financial… Read More
Hawaii Judge Rules That Grandparents and Other Close Relatives Are Excluded from the Travel Ban
U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson ruled last week that “grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins of persons in the United States,” as well as refugees connected to resettlement agencies should be exempt from the Trump administration’s travel ban. This ruling came as a result of a… Read More
Groups Sue U.S. Government for Turning Away Asylum Seekers
Men, women, and children fleeing persecution, grave violence, and even death arrive daily at Ports of Entry (POE) all along the U.S.-Mexico border and present themselves to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to seek asylum in the United States. The right to seek asylum is guaranteed under… Read More
Travel Ban Bars Grandparents, Grandchildren from Entering US – The Lawsuits Practically File Themselves
The Trump administration is set to begin implementing part of its long-touted travel ban on Thursday, which seeks to ban the entry of nationals of six Muslim-majority countries for at least 90 days and suspend the admissions of all refugees for at least 120 days. This implementation was prompted by… Read More
The Government Continues to Ignore the Rights of Children in Detention, Court Finds
Despite being among some of the most vulnerable, children seeking asylum in the United States often fare the worst. Upon entering the United States, children are often detained for extended periods in violation of a long-standing agreement known as the Flores settlement. The Flores agreement essentially acts as a contract… Read More
Who Will and Won’t Be Impacted by the Travel Ban After the Supreme Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court has decided to hear the Travel Ban case when its fall session begins in October 2017. In the meantime, the Court will allow the administration to implement parts of President Trump’s second executive order (EO-2), which bans the entry of nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria,… Read More
As Global Refugee Crisis Grows, America Must Do Her Part
Each year on June 20, people around the world recognize the plight, resilience, and courage of those who have been forced to flee their homes. This World Refugee Day comes at a time when record numbers of refugees and other vulnerable populations are fleeing violence and persecution. As they… Read More
Refugees in the U.S. Had More Than $56 Billion in Spending Power in 2015, New Study Shows
NEW YORK, New York – Refugees earned more than $77 billion in household income and paid almost $21 billion in taxes in 2015, according to a new study released by New American Economy. The new report is one of the few comprehensive analyses of how refugees contribute to… Read More
The Knoxville Mercury (TN): In Knoxville, World Refugee Day is so big it lasts a week
“Y’all means all” is the motto for Knoxville’s upcoming World Refugee Day and a week of films, games, and other opportunities to interact with local refugees. The festivities were planned by Bridge Refugee Services to celebrate the contributions of immigrants who fled persecution in foreign countries to resettle in Knoxville The… Read More
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No one should face the immigration system alone
